Improvement in devices for the manufacture of printers  leads



` 2 Sheet--Sheet 2, L. W. TRACY.

'Device for the Manufacture of Printers' Lea ds. I No. !65,381 Paentedluly 6,1875.

N. FITER', mmumammz. WASNINOTON. D.

UNITED STATEs PATENT FFICE.,

LEWIS W. TRACY, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHAW 85 ROGERS LEAD COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

!MPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PRINTERS' LEADS.

'Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 165.387, dated July 6, 1875; application filed May 20, 1875.

' vented a certain new and useful Improvement in Devices for the Manufacture of Printers Leads, of which the following is a specification: i v

Printer@ leads have heretofore been made either by casting in molds, or by rolling the metal in sheet form and then cutting up the sheet into desired widths. Under hoth of these methods the edges of the leads require to be planed beveling before they are ready for use; but even a greater objection is the iequality of thickess, which is a noticeable defect in leads thus made, and one which it is not practicable to efi'ectually remedy un- 'der the methods of procedure above noted. These objections I ,obviate by forcing the metal or alloy, preferably in a semi-fluid or pasty condition, through a die-opening of the same sizeland shap'e as the lead is required to he in f cross-section.

This operation can be performed with apparatus similar to the ordinary lead-pipo inachine or press, excepting that the die should have the configuration above specified instead of that required for making pipe, and'further that the core-piece is dispensed with.

One form of such press is repr'csented on Sheet l of the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 is a vertical central section, of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a view of the die detached.

A is the lead-containing cylinder, which, in this instance, is movable. B is the stationary hollow plunger, with its lower end closed by the die C, of a shape and size to form the required lead. The plunger is connected to the base D by stay-rods, on which the cylinder slides. The cylinder terminates in a piston,

E, which works in a cylinder, F, in base D. The cylinder F is in proper communication with some source of steanor water supply, by which, when desired, the lead-cylinder can be forced up toward the pl un ger.

Under my inprovenent the lead issues from the die in the form of a continuous strip, of the 'shape and size required for the completed lead,

and with perfect and finished edges. As this strip passes from the machine, the leads are cnt froni it ot' any length desired.

A piece of such a strip is represented on an enlarged scale in plan and transverse section in Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 2, of the acconpay ing drawing This mode of manuflcture possesscs numerous advantages over that hitherto practiced. I obtain perfect nit'ormity of thickness, the metal is rendered stroger and more pliable, the surt'aces are perfect, and the cost ot' manufacture is lessened.

I would state in conclusion that it is immater al for the purposes of my inventio whether the cyliudvr moves toward the plunger or the plunger toward the cylinder; also, whether the die be carried by the plunger or` hy the cylinder.

What I claim as my investicii, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The conhination, with the metal-containing 'cylinder and the piston or plunger, ot' the die having the structure and configuration specified, when used in the nanufacture ot' printers leads, in the nanner set forth.

ln testinony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 15th day of May, A. l). 1875.

LE WIS VW. TRACY.

Witnesses:

lt. A. PIPER, B. F. LEE. 

